Ugly win would suit Galway boss

Aidan Fitzmaurice
– 13 March 2017 02:30 AM

Galway boss Shane Keegan

Galway United boss Shane Keegan is happy to "win ugly" if it means getting something at home to Shamrock Rovers tonight.

The Hoops head west hoping to make amends for Friday's 1-0 loss at home to a 10-man Derry City, with manager Stephen Bradley admitting that his side need more of cutting edge if they are to come away from Galway with a result to lift things after that defeat to Derry.

"I don't think either of the teams had clear-cut chances on Friday, we didn't create anything and neither did they, the only chances came from each other's mistakes and it was disappointing to give away the goal from a set play," says Bradley.

The Galway camp were relieved to get their first point of the term, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw away to Finn Harps, on a pitch which United were most unhappy with.

The Rovers fixture was a tough one for Galway last season, the Hoops winning all three games, and boss Shane Keegan is steeled for a battle after that positive of earning a point in Donegal.

"We would take a performance that might not be as good if we can pick up a result, we would take an ugly performance to yield some points against Rovers tonight," says Keegan.

"Rovers will have a bit of fight and focus in them after the Derry City game. They're a side with a lot of quality. We feel we put in a good first half against Drogheda on the opening day, but we didn't reach those levels in the second half.

"The big thing for us against Shamrock Rovers is, can we go for the full 90 minutes? We will have spells without the ball, we will need to put in a lot of work and effort."

Meanwhile, Dundalk defender Paddy Barrett says the champions have no issues in raising their game against the so-called lesser sides. Dundalk had to make do with a 1-0 win at home to newly-promoted Limerick on Friday and tonight's trek to Buncrana to face Derry is another test.

"They are all important wins. People get themselves up for Cork City games and Shamrock Rovers games and people think it's hard to get up for the other games but I think we are a bit different compared to everyone else," says Barrett.

"We are fired up for every single game no matter who we play or where we play we want to win every week. Each game is important to us and we know the value of each win."